As I lean back, a blue-hued touchscreen display pad lights up on my right armrest. Exploring the unfamiliar options, I set my course for "relax mode," which suddenly transforms my seat angle into a reclined La-Z-Boy. Pressing "sleep mode," my seat hums into motion again to extend into a fully flat bed. I can command a back massage and even adjust the firmness of my seat cushion.

I wonder if Captain James T. Kirk had a chair like this on board the Starship U.S.S. Enterprise.

Probably not. As you can infer from my excitement, I'm flying business class for the first time on board Austrian Airlines. For most guys like me, this luxury option has always been a mythic place hidden behind an airplane curtain; more or less a rumored wonderland where the privileged get pampered with bells and whistles.

Austrian installed an upgraded cabin to their Boeing 767s and 777s last April to help better contend with competition. "The software [and] the service we offer on board has always been unique," says Alexandra Strobl, director of product management. "But when it came to the hardware, however, there was room for improvement. Now, both software and hardware match up to our high standards."

However, Austrian isn't the only airline set on gaining an edge with business class. As the economy is booming again overseas, many airlines have been reaching deep into their pockets to invest in business class renovations post-recession. In May 2012, American Airlines announced a total upgrade of its international wide-body planes. This past February, Delta Airlines added silky upgrades to its in-flight bedding. And Jet Blue, known for only having one class, is rolling out exclusive bed seats in early 2014.

There's logic behind this new focus on business class as it actually amounts to more than half of the year's profits. Companies like Lufthansa, which is investing $4 billion in cabin improvements, are betting on increasing this source of income. A regular long-haul ticket in business class can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000 — at least three times the price of coach — so it’s no surprise that the elite section at the front of the plane is usually filled with passengers flying on a corporate business account or frequent flyer miles.

These latest attempts to lure us to business class make me wonder: Is life beyond the land of economy actually worth the cost? Thanks to the folks at Austrian Airlines, I was given the opportunity to experience and weigh the potential value for myself on a trip from Toronto to Vienna.

The Perks

Today, flying business class is so much more than just a means of transportation — it's an experience, and it begins way before you set foot on a plane. Your golden ticket provides a variety of perks in the airport. You know that feeling of pure hysteria when you're running a bit late upon arrival and find yourself saddling up behind a 25-person line-up at the check-in counter? Well, not this time. It’s smooth sailing down the priority lane through check-in, security clearance and flight boarding.

When I arrive at the airport a routine two-and-a-half hours before my flight, I end up reaching my gate with 45 minutes to spare. That's where the business class airport lounge comes into play. The quality of these exclusive areas differs for every airline, but they all typically offer unlimited snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, internet connection and plush lounge chairs — a convenient combination for travelers looking for a spot to relax during a flight delay or overlay. Air Canada's lounge also includes showers, while others even offer spa amenities.

But the business class show truly kicks off once you’re in the sky. The main race for airline innovation comes down to the passenger's seat. The goal? To make it comfortable enough for a professional stuck sitting for eight to 12 hours. Over the years, the business class seat has evolved from a reclining plush chair in the 1970s to an "angled flat" seat in recent years, and finally to today's state-of-the-art device that can turn into a fully flat, 180-degree sleeping surface.